The most important consideration when choosing a popper is the total thickness of the leather stack the post needs to pass through.

Measure the combined thickness of all the layers of leather that will sit between the popper components. The post should pass through the complete leather stack and leave at least 2 mm of post protruding beyond the leather to allow the popper to be properly set.

13 mm Poppers

• Head diameter: 13 mm (½")
• Post length: 5 mm (3/16")
• Post diameter: 2.5 mm
• Required hole: 2.5 mm

The 13 mm popper has the shorter post and is particularly suitable for single layers and thinner leather stacks.

15 mm Poppers

• Head diameter: 15 mm
• Post length: 6.5 mm (approximately ¼")
• Post diameter: 3 mm
• Required hole: 3 mm

The 15 mm popper has a longer post, making it the better choice where the popper needs to pass through a thicker combination of leather layers.

1. Assemble the leather layers exactly as they will be when the popper is installed.
2. Measure the total thickness of the complete leather stack that the post will pass through.
3. Choose a post that is long enough to pass through the entire stack while leaving at least 2 mm of post protrudingbeyond the leather for setting.
4. If your leather stack is close to the available post length, test the popper on a scrap piece first.

As a simple rule:

Leather stack thickness + 2 mm = minimum required post length

For example, if your assembled leather stack is 3 mm thick, you need a post that is at least 5 mm long to provide the recommended 2 mm of protrusion.

Tip: Leather thickness can vary depending on tannage, compression and the number of layers. Always test your chosen popper and setting method on scrap leather before installing it on your finished project.

For the cleanest results, we recommend using a rotary leather hole punch and a popper snap setter.

1. Mark the Position

Carefully mark where you want the popper to sit. Make sure the position is correct before punching the leather, particularly on finished or lined projects.

2. Punch the Hole

Use a suitable hole punch to make a clean hole through the complete leather stack.

• 13 mm popper: 2.5 mm hole
• 15 mm popper: 3 mm hole

Punch the hole cleanly and squarely through all layers.

3. Assemble the Popper

Pass the appropriate post through the punched hole and assemble the corresponding popper components in the correct order.

Ensure each component is sitting flat against the leather before setting.

4. Set the Popper

Place the assembled popper into your popper snap setter and carefully set it using firm, controlled pressure.

The setter will flare the end of the post to lock the components securely in place. Avoid excessive force, which can mark the brass or damage the leather.

5. Check the Finished Snap

Once set, check that the components are secure and that the popper opens and closes smoothly. The cap should sit neatly against the leather without excessive movement.

Recommended Tools

For best results, pair these poppers with our:

• Rotary Leather Hole Punch – for accurately punching the required hole size.
• Popper Snap Setter Tool – for securely setting the popper components.

These tools help produce consistent, professional-looking results across your leathercraft projects.

Product Specifications

Material: Solid brass
Finish: Gold
Sizes: 13 mm or 15 mm head diameter
Pack sizes: 10 or 100

13 mm:

Head Diameter: 13 mm (½")

Post Length: 5 mm (3/16")

Post Diameter: 2.5 mm

Hole Size: 2.5 mm

15 mm:

Head Diameter: 15 mm

Post Length: 6.5 mm (¼")

Post Diameter: 3 mm

Hole Size: 3 mm